St John Henry Newman: Doctor of the Church
August 20, 2025
Earlier this year, the late Pope Francis I opened the Jubilee Holy Door in St Peter’s, Rome – a tradition observed every 25 years to mark each Jubilee. Meanwhile, in North Walsham, a very different kind of door has been opened, one with a lasting impact on local parish life.
At the Sacred Heart Catholic Church hall, the town’s Mayor, Cllr Bob Wright, officially opened a newly widened fire exit. The project was initiated by parishioner Cathy Watkins, who recognised the need for wheelchair users to be able to leave the building safely in the event of an emergency.
The work was made possible thanks to a £500 donation from the North Walsham Community Shop. After presenting the cheque, Cllr Wright said: “We are pleased to help fund the project by bring it up to fire regulations and improve accessibility.”
Cathy explained her motivation: “We felt that the exit was too narrow for wheelchair users so we acted upon it.”
Unlike the Holy Door in Rome, which Pope Leo XIV will close at the end of the Jubilee year, the Sacred Heart’s widened exit will remain open for a lifetime – a practical sign of welcome and safety, especially for disabled members of the parish community.
Photograph: Cathy Watkins first left receives a cheque for £500 from Cllr Bob Wright third left on behalf of the North Walsham Community Shop with the hall management committee looking on
Credit: John Holden
